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J W. COCHRAN.

Car-Axle Box.

Patented May 25, 1858.

H II

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JNO. W. COCHRAN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

LUBBICATING CAR-AXLES.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 20,331, dated May 25, 1858.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOHN W. CocHRAN, of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented a certain Improvement in Lubricating Car-Axles; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings and to the letters of reference marked thereon, like letters indicating like parts of the figures thereof.

Of the drawings Figure 1 represents the axle in the box; Fig. 2 being a sectional transverse view of the same, and Fig. 3 a longitudinal sectional view of the box with the means therein for lubricating the axle.

My invention consists in so suspending within the oil portion of the box several rollers or spheres that the means of suspension will keep the rollers against the axle and being moved by the rotation of the axle will convey the oil from the box and regularly feed it upon the surface of the axle.

By referring to Fig. 3 of the drawings it will be perceived that, within the lower part of the box or chamber containing the oil, or other lubricating material, and immediately over which is the axle, there are suspended rollers (h, 71,). These rollers are loose upon a coil of wire (e, e,) similar to a helical spring, each end of which is attached to a rod (cZ,) extending to and hooked upon a stud or process (0). Within the coil of wire (6) is a shaft or rod of metal or wood to keep it straight. The rollers, it will be noticed, are of that diameter necessary to deflect the rods (cl) so that the tendency is to keep the rollers pressed against the surface of the axle. The coil of wire is steadied by an upright bar As the axle is rotated the rollers are also rotated and thus continually carry oil from the box to the surface of the axle. These rollers may be made of iron or other metal,

or of wood, and covered with felt or cloth, or any other fabric somewhat absorbent. I prefer however to make them of felt with a thimble in the center which allows them play upon the coil (6). hen made of felt they will be capable of holding considerable oil, and will at all times, even when the oil is congealed, be elastic bodies ready and charged with lubricating material, and will aid the other means employed to meet the vibrating and other movements of the axle when in motion or rotation. Instead of the several rollers a body of felt or other material may be placed around thecoil of wire and will, on many occasions be an excellent substitute for the rollers. This arrangement of the means for lubricating the axle will at all times have free movement, give a regular feed of the oil while the axle is in motion, and the box allowed to be completely closed.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is- The arrangement of the rollers upon the coil (6) said coil having within it a shaft or rod of metal or wood with the rods (65) attached to studs (0), in their relation to each other and to the box and axle as, and for the purposes herein set forth.

Dated 17 March 1858.

.T. w. COCHRAN.

itnesses CHRISTIAN SHARPS, T. T. EVERETT. 

